Help Proximity Sensor bug

PeteSapai · Sep 29, 2011

I've been using my new S2 for about 2 months now. A couple of days ago the proximity sensor started acting weird: when calling, it turns on (so the screen is locked) no matter what I do. Whether I'm holding my phone to my ear or just put it down on the table, the screen goes black. After that, the phone wont respond to anything anymore, except the volume button. Turning on the option 'power key ends calls' also works (and is, in my case, the only way to end the call on my end, besides removing the battery).

During/after the call, there is (afaik) nothing that can remove the screen lock, except for the HandCent Popup (so 'Enable popup' in HandCent must be ticked, the notification only won't do it). I can still receive calls, but can't answer them. I can still plug in my headphone and MortPlayer will start playing.

The latest change I made to my phone was saturday: an update to Dungeon Defenders. I haven't installed or updated anything since. Yesterday, wednesday, the error occurred for the first time.

In short: when calling, the Proximity Sensor kicks in, the screen locks and is only unlockable by receiving a text message with the HandCent popup.

Does anyone know a solution? Is this a software or hardware problem?

Shotgun84 · Sep 29, 2011

I'm not sure how to fix the problem but if you go into settings, then call, you can untick turn on proximity sensor. Atleast that will mean you're screen doesn't lockup everyone you make a call.

PeteSapai · Sep 29, 2011

Hm, I knew I forgot to mention something

I already found that checkbox. Haven't found out if the Prox Sensor is actually useful (ie. if calling without it will accidentally end my calls), but I'm guessing I'll notice soon enough. (And even if I'll never hang up by accident, if my problem is hardware related, I'd like to know now.)
Anyway, thanks for the reply!

kebark · Sep 29, 2011

PeteSapai said:
Hm, I knew I forgot to mention something I already found that checkbox. Haven't found out if the Prox Sensor is actually useful (ie. if calling without it will accidentally end my calls), but I'm guessing I'll notice soon enough. (And even if I'll never hang up by accident, if my problem is hardware related, I'd like to know now.)
Anyway, thanks for the reply!

Right I've not got a total solution but I've got a way to test if it's a hardware issue. First you will need to open the test screens (follow this guide) and then click on "Sensor". Put your finger in front of the sensor and if the phone turns green and vibrates the sensor is fine (so it's not a hardware issue)

PeteSapai · Oct 4, 2011

Thanks for that Guide, kebark. A friend of mine bought the same phone, when I enter that test menu and open the 8th option (Sensor), the way it should work is:
Screen white, hold anything in front of the sensor (next to the front cam) and the screen turns green and the phone vibrates until you remove that anything.
My results (at random times, in random order):
1. Normal (happened once!!)
2. Screen green, only starts vibrating when I hold something in front of the sensor and then never stops*.
3. Screen white, turns green and starts vibrating, never stops*.
4. Screen green and phone vibrating.

All the while the sensor readings seemed normal:
"Proximity: 1.0 ADC: V (X,Y,Z)" Where V, X,Y,Z vary from 9 or 10 when holding nothing in front of the phone to 220-240 when putting my finger on the sensor
[edit] But they should (measured with my friend's phone) vary from 0 to 180-190.

* Funny thing: I say it never stops, but I just noticed that when I firmly press and release the sensor (simply putting my finger on it for a second or two doesn't work, maybe it needs to pass the 240 ADC threshold, for whatever reason), it does stop for .1 to ~5 seconds.

Anyway, the sensor seems to be broken, so I'm just gonna send my phone back and ask for a repair or new one.

lvynliew · Feb 11, 2012

PeteSapai said:
Thanks for that Guide, kebark. A friend of mine bought the same phone, when I enter that test menu and open the 8th option (Sensor), the way it should work is:
Screen white, hold anything in front of the sensor (next to the front cam) and the screen turns green and the phone vibrates until you remove that anything.
My results (at random times, in random order):
1. Normal (happened once!!)
2. Screen green, only starts vibrating when I hold something in front of the sensor and then never stops*.
3. Screen white, turns green and starts vibrating, never stops*.
4. Screen green and phone vibrating.

All the while the sensor readings seemed normal:
"Proximity: 1.0 ADC: V (X,Y,Z)" Where V, X,Y,Z vary from 9 or 10 when holding nothing in front of the phone to 220-240 when putting my finger on the sensor
[edit] But they should (measured with my friend's phone) vary from 0 to 180-190.

* Funny thing: I say it never stops, but I just noticed that when I firmly press and release the sensor (simply putting my finger on it for a second or two doesn't work, maybe it needs to pass the 240 ADC threshold, for whatever reason), it does stop for .1 to ~5 seconds.

Anyway, the sensor seems to be broken, so I'm just gonna send my phone back and ask for a repair or new one.

i am oso facinf the problems. i send back for warranty oso. but i just read a solutin from htc proximity problem thread, he just fixed by plug the earphones the removed. he said it become normal and working well now. however he still not sure how come the problem,mayb need to plug the earphones someday. but he said that way really solve his proximity sensor problem. i still waiting my sgs2 from warranty, it over a week i waiting for.

batura · May 21, 2012

Hello guys, my phone does not light back up after the screen goes off during a call... I have to remove the batteries... seems like the same issue, does any one figured out now to fix?

The problem is that I live in Brasil and would cost me a lot tosent it back and forth to the US to have it replaced... I am trying to avoid that solution until I am sure there

xella · Dec 7, 2012

that's funny (or sad) but apparently my screen protector was causing the problem because it wasnt placed accurately on the phone and it made the sensor "feel" it. so after cutting out the part of the protector (or replacing it if u wish) the problem was solved.
hope i was helpful.

Gearu · Dec 11, 2012

There's also an option for have the power button end calls, you may have that ticked and be pressing it innocently.

Help Proximity Sensor bug

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